GLASGOW, SCOTLAND - SEPTEMBER 20: Celtic Manager Martin O'Neill (L) and Coach Shaun Maloney (R) during a William Hill Premiership match between Celtic and Rangers at Celtic Park, on September 20, 2026, in Glasgow, Scotland. (Photo by Ross Parker/SNS Group via Getty Images)
Tino Callaghan isn’t convinced that Martin O’Neill will stay on as Celtic manager.
Nothing has been heard of from the 74-year-old Irishman since he announced a period of self reflection following Celtic’s September 20 defeat in the Glasgow Derby.
In under a month O’Neill had overseen four big match defeats for Celtic.
Starting away to LASK Linz on August 25 the hoops were knocked out of the Champions League at the Play Off stage.
That was followed by a couple of domestic wins and an underwhelming end to the transfer window that left serious questions about the Celtic squad.
Going into the international break Celtic lost three big matches. They were more than defeats, performances that raised questions about every aspect of the team.
Callum McGregor, Liam Scales and Cameron Carter-Vickers were in their own ways critical of the team, tactics and instructions given to players.
It was almost the perfect storm. Nothing really worked with O’Neill looking isolated and out of ideas on the sidelines.
Those ‘self reflection’ comments led to speculation that O’Neill could step down as manager.
Two days after the home defeat in the Glasgow Derby Celtic published their Annual Report with CEO Michael Nicholson promising to support O’Neill.
It was what you’d expect in a bland report. Non committal, doing the bare minimum.
CELTIC FANS LEFT IN THE DARK OVER O’NEILL’S CELTIC FUTURE
As each day of the international break passed the speculation over O’Neill stepping down began to fade.
At Celtic the policy on most issues is ‘no comment’.
Callaghan has been the long term presenter of the popular Celtic Exchange podcast.
Over the last year he has become the regular fan media contact point for Sky Sports News. At Celtic the past 12 months has been one of almost constant chaos.
It has almost been assumed, partly be default, that O’Neill will continue in post but appearing on The Cynic Callaghan wasn’t convinced that the legendary boss will take charge of Celtic’s next match.
TC:
I’m still not convinced that he’ll be manager by October 11 when we play Motherwell. We had that line or so from Michael Nicholson in the Financial (Annual) Report to say ‘we fully support Martin and the team through these tough times’ and all that sort of stuff.
The man (O’Neill) hasn’t spoken and ultimately, whatever happens with Martin O’Neill my take on it has always been that I hope he gets the exit he decides upon.
He has earned the right to exit on his own terms. And I think that Martin O’Neill will be doing a fair bit of soul searching right now.
You know it has been three really poor results and poor performances within it, four or five formations, looking at various guys starting that shouldn’t be starting.
He has tried everything to find a solution, none of it has worked. And I wonder if he himself is thinking ‘I’m out of ideas here’. You know, this isn’t quite working.
Martin O’Neill is an honest enough guy, and a noble enough guy- if it has run its course he will make the call to step down.
I think he may make that decision but as is always the case you just don’t hear and it’ll probably be, take it right up to the bumper and we might find out the day before Motherwell that he may or may not be the manager.
Listen, I would love nothing more than Martin O’Neill to stay on and have that perfect exit.
My feeling is that he had that exit, that opportunity was there in the summer and football rarely throws up those to sail off into the sunset as the ultimate hero.
It did on the 16th of May last year after that Hearts game and I thought that Martin should have made that call at that point.
It was never going to get any better. That was the best title win in my modern Celtic supporting life. Obviously we’ve been there with John Barnes and stuff like that.
Long way of saying I don’t know if Martin O’Neill will be the manager or not. I really have no idea, it could go either way.
Most clubs will release some video footage of training or an interview with a non-international player this week.
So far there has been nothing from Celtic leaving fans to try and put together the pieces to explain what is happening.
On their return to action Celtic face a demanding 11 day run of matches against Motherwell, Benfica, Hearts and Celta Vigo.
The last mentioned 4 games, in the current climate, its perfectly feasible we could lose all of them.
That would be 7 defeats on the bounce.
We just don’t look like a cohesive confident team.
If the Well were to beat us I defo think ww could be in trouble.
Can’t even envisage a change of manager making a difference.
The silent routine from ST Martin is unbecoming of a gentleman.
Unless he has gone to the desert to reflect on his future just like JC and Moses did a Long Long time ago.
(Let us pray not for 40 days and 40 nights like JC)
It is looking like Motherwell could be his last stand unless he pulls off a miracle as big as JC did when he turned water into Buckfast a long long time ago.
With a work in progress mutiny in the changing room and Mute Mike and the muppet show maintaining radio silence.
The horrible one and his disgusting Son playing in the Dunhill in Fife.
The Celtic fans are kept in the dark and fed Shit like mushrooms as per usual.
If Celtic don’t collect 3 Points in Motherwell then the League title can be added to this years list.
Champions league .. Out
Scottish League Cup…Out
Europa league.. almost.. out
26/27 league title?
Not One Penny More Until Desmond & Son are out the Door.